Step 4: "Sewing" the Seams

Step 5: Finishing Touches

1. Fold the top of the hot dog sheet over about 1/2", and make a seam, leaving a tube for the drawstring. 2. Attach a shoelace to a safety pin and thr...

The other day I walked past another bike seat covered with a plastic bag, and I thought, "there has got to be a better way!" In some ways, the plastic bag is a great solution to a sopping wet bike seat - it's free, and it reuses an item that would otherwise be in a landfill. There are downsides, though - they tear easily, and the dangling plastic is constantly getting caught on things. I tried to maintain the spirit and advantages of the plastic bag bike seat cover by using...plastic bags. This project is still free, and still recycles. It adds strength and a clean look, and will keep your bike seat dry for a long time.

Step 1: Tools and Materials

Materials: - Four plastic shopping bags -Shoelace or string

Tools: -Iron -Soldering iron -Parchment paper -Scissors -Marker

Step 2: Welding the Plastic Sheets

1. Using scissors to cut the handles and seams off of four bags. 2. Take one bag and fold it "hamburger style" so that it makes roughly a square. Sandwich it in between two layers of parchment paper and iron it. The time and temperature will vary, but it's better to start slow. The bag should burn or melt, just lightly fuse together. When you think you're done, roll the sheet between your fingers. If you feel it separate, iron a bit longer. 3. Take your second bag and fold it over the welded sheet so there is fresh plastic covering both sides. Place it between parchment paper and iron it until it is an even 4-ply sheet. 4. Repeat with the last two bags, this time folding "hot dog style." 5. When you're done, you should have two 4-ply sheets, one long and skinny and the other roughly square. Trim off the edges.

Step 3: Taking Shape

1. Take the square sheet and trace your seat onto it in the middle. Be generous with your line, it's better to have more material than not enough. 2. Cut out the shape, leaving an additional 1/4" outside of the line for a seam. 3. Iron the seat shape one more time to seal the edges.